Outstanding news of great import: In three key election results yesterday
in California, what won big were our economy, clean energy future, prospects
for a better quality of life, and the urgent need for real action on the
climate change crisis. The election of Governor Jerry Brown, the
reelection of Senator Barbara Boxer, and the overwhelming rejection of Proposition
23 -- the Texas oil companies¹ scheme to kill California¹s seminal 2006
Global Warming Solutions Act -- are together a resounding victory for
Californians and the environment.
It¹s also true that California suffered an economic, taxpayer and environmental setback with the passage of Proposition 26. This was the quiet maneuver by oil, tobacco and alcoholic beverage companies to externalize what are internal costs, i.e., their costs for compliance with legitimate health and pollution regulations and fees. Their escape route is Prop 26's stipulation that such fees must now be approved by two-thirds of the State Legislature rather than the previous simple majority. In pulling off this gambit, these well-funded corporations likely succeeded at off-loading their own costs onto California¹s general fund. Hint: "General fund" means you, me, our neighbors and our kids. They picked our pocket.
To the extent that California continues to still sometimes drive national
debate and policy, the victory over Proposition 23 is a shot and a wake-up
call for the entire country. Other states will now follow California on
climate change and clean energy law.
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